Focus Alert for June 21, 2017

FOCUS Churches of Albany
www.focuschurches.net

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1. F OCUS Combined Summer Worship - July 2
2. Gardening in a Bucket for Kids
3. Truth Commission on Poverty - July 13
4. W elcome to FOCUS Rev. Chris Vande Bunte
5. Summer A ppeal
6. Volunteer Picnic - July 20
7. FOCUS 50th Gala - October 28

1. FOCUS Combined Worship Service - July 2

Sunday July 2nd 9:30 am FOCUS Combined Worship Service at Trinity United Methodist Church- FOCUS Advocacy Coordinator Joe Paparone will be preaching at the FOCUS Joint Service and leading a conversation afterwards: “The Poor People’s Campaign: Then and Now”. Please join us for the service and stay afterwards for the workshop, held in the chapel of Trinity United Methodist.

2. Gardening in a Bucket for Kids

The Gardening in a Bucket (GIAB) FOCUS program during the month of June went into four Albany public schools. GIAB worked with 220 kids in 12 classes. The children learned about growing and caring for vegetable plants. Each student took home their own personally decorated pots that will (hopefully) yield some delicious tomatoes! Volunteers were Emily Bianchine, Jeanne Bianchine, Edith Leet and Ian Leet and they were awesome. For GIAB in the Food Pantry we had about 30 families take home tomato plants. All in all a great success!

3. Truth Commission on Poverty - July 13

Capital District Truth Commission on Poverty in NYS - Thursday, July 13th, 5-8pm, 336 Broadway, Schenectady - Despite New York’s great wealth, more than 3 million New Yorkers live below the federal poverty line, and millions more struggle to make ends meet. In Schenectady, Albany, and Rensselaer counties, 4 in 10 households earn less than the cost of living. Why is this? How are individuals, families and our community affected, and what is being done to respond? How can we create a more just community in which all our neighbors can thrive? Join us on Thursday, July 13, to hear people directly affected by poverty and related injustices, direct service providers, advocates, faith leaders, and policy experts will reflect on these questions. RSVP at bit.ly/CapTruth or e-mail joep@focuschurches.net

This is part of the New Poor People’s Campaign, and an important part of statewide anti-poverty movement building efforts.

4. Welcome to FOCUS Rev. Chris Vande Bunte

FOCUS Churches of Albany welcomes Rev. Chris Vande Bunte pastor at Delmar Reformed Church. As a pastor of one of the FOCUS churches he will be also be serving on the board of directors. We look forward to Pastor Chris as he brings his passion for ministry and mission to the Albany area.

5. Summer Appeal

The FOCUS Summer Appeal is now in full swing. Hunger and poverty in Albany do not take a break for the summer. Please help support the Interfaith Food Pantry, Breakfast Express, FOCUS Advocates, Gardening in a Bucket for Kids and the FOCUS on School Supplies Project. Your gifts make a difference for so many! An online contributions option is available at: www.focuschurches.net. Select the “Contribute to Summer Appeal” button at the top of each page. Mail-in contributions may be sent to the FOCUS Office, Attn: Nancy Ost, 275 State Street, Albany, NY 12210. Thank you!

Donate Online to the Summer Appeal

6. Focus Volunteer Picnic - July 20

FOCUS volunteers please save the date for a summer volunteer picnic at the Henry Hudson Town Park, in Selkirk

Thursday, July 20

Henry Hudson Park Pavilion

Starting around 4:00 pm and lasting until 7 ish.

Plenty of parking. Tremendous view of the river. Playground for children. Field for sports.

FOCUS will provide items to be grilled and the buns; drinks.

Please bring a salad or side dish to share.

Ice cream for dessert!

Please let Belinda know if you are coming! FOCUS office 443-0460 or belindaq@focuschurches.net We'll have a map handout for you to take with you.

7. FOCUS 50th Gala - October 28

FOCUS 50th Gala
Please join us for a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of FOCUS Churches! Great food, live music, recognition of volunteers, former staff, founding pastors and more! October 28, 2017 at St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Road in Albany. $50 per person. Read the article in the FOCUS Spring Newsletter and watch for continuing details!

Forward

1. FOCUS Combined Summer Worship - July 2 2. Gardening in a Bucket for Kids 3. Truth Commission on Poverty - July 13 4. Welcome to FOCUS Rev. Chris Vande Bunte 5. Summer Appeal 6. Volunteer Picnic - July 20 7. FOCUS 50th Gala - October 28